Cyprus turned to the one who was called Allen,"I believe I'll join you on that. This Francis sounds like the most fun. And persuading people was never my strong suit, I'll be first to admit." That and he disliked urchins, was thoroughly disliked by the Revolutionaries from before his work with the devils, and scholars were O so boring."Now, I believe I'll set off for Medusa's Head. Good day." And with that he got up and began walking off, his bad attempt following him. You try whistling when you're dead, it's rather difficult.

Rubbery picked up the letter labelled Rosemary without waiting on direction from Ptolemy. It was rather odd behavior for him. He opened it, scanned it, and then held it up for Ptolemy to read. Perhaps he had a great love of spices? One could never tell with rubbery men.

"Hm. Well enough. Off to the delightful Mrs. Plenty's carnival, then. It would appear my companion has chosen for me." Ptolemy said, after finishing the letter. "Though I do find associates of cats so terribly distasteful. Any of you lot coming along? The company would not be unwelcome."

Arreck pored over the letters for a long time, either he was very interested in their contents or he was having no small difficulty reading them. Finally he stepped back from the letters and shook his head, "I have no knowledge of persuading the small ones to do as I say and little talent for investigation, I believe it would be best if I helped look for this Duelist Francis Wolf as a fight sounds inevitable in that situation, if my assistance is welcome." Arreck turned about and followed Cyprus and Allen out of the room, repeatedly knocking into tables and chairs as he did so.

Melissa didn't really get a chance to have a look at the letters as the rest of the group descended on them, like a pack of ravenous dogs. People down here truly were feral, even for people. She gave an exasperated sigh as she approached the rat and the octopus thing "I suppose I will ask if I can accompany you two, if you don't mind... I have no connections in this city and doubt I would be much help with any of the more dangerous sounding people..." Melissa looked quite embarrassed "I don't think I'll be a burden... If you give me a chance." Melissa gave a small smile and waited politely for a response from the rat.

After all, a rat and a fish had a higher chance of being more bearable than the rest of the pathetic vermin assembled. Just standing near them was slowly making her seethe with rage. If she hadn't disemboweled that teenage boy before her trip on the dirigible, she most likely wouldn't have been able to contain her urges at all.

She slowly ate the cheesecake as she watched the others devour the envelopes. At least with something new to focus on the argument had ended, but that brought up another question, if only three of them were bickering now, how long would it take for the party as a whole to dissolve over something minor? Shaking her head she determined not to linger on 'what ifs' and trivialising the fact that only three of the party had blundered into an altercation.

Taking a sip of tea that was cooler then she preferred she looked though the myriad of envelopes; none of the jumped out at her, most were either more suited to those of a more dangerous persuasion, or those who were undoubtedly more persuasive than she. However one did look like it might have use for a physician: the curious case of Viola, The Bomber. Bomb making had one similarity to surgery, one needs a steady hand and after years of developing a practised steadiness one does not just 'slip up'. That and sometimes the transition from being dead, to being back alive can be jarring for some.

"Well then, I shall be joining you," She directed to Kristina, "You never know when you might need a doctor," She added as she finished her tea.

One thing still niggled at the back of her mind however and she would rather see it resolved before their departure to bomb maker's workshop. T.E was awfully well kept for a tomb colonist, she could understand why a player in the Great Game might go to such lengths to keep their appearance a secret, but the that the flaws in his possible disguise drew such attention to themselves bothered her.

"If you don't mind me asking T.E, what was it that killed you? You're very well..." She thought for a moment to find a word that might not cause offense, but failed to, if see was going to try to unmask a disguise there was no point being coy about it. "Preserved for a tomb colonist."

"I suppose I will ask if I can accompany you two, if you don't mind... I have no connections in this city and doubt I would be much help with any of the more dangerous sounding people... I don't think I'll be a burden... If you give me a chance." the surface-girl said, approaching them. Rubbery took a nervous step back. She still smelled of the surface, and that made him nervous. Rubbery men would gladly forget the existence of the world topside.

Ptolemy smiled apologetically- as well as a rat can, anyways- and gestured for Rubbery to give her the letter. "Certainly. I hope you will excuse my friend. Surfacers make him mildly uncomfortable." Rubbery handled the letter carefully, by its edge, making sure not to touch the lass. It would appear his discomfort was more on par with "would rather be fighting a spider-council", rather than mildly uncomfortable with her.

"Don't underestimate anyone in this city." Ptolemy said lightly. "We're all mad here, and anyone could be dangerous. Especially Mrs. Plenty and her lot. Which is where we're headed, by-the-by. A carnival. Mrs. Plenty's. Fun place. Mind the mirrors." With that nebulous advice, Ptolemy gestured for her to follow with one paw, and directed Rubbery towards the door with his needle. And so they exited, Ptolemy on the rubbery man's shoulder.

"We're all mad here, and anyone could be dangerous. Especially Mrs. Plenty and her lot. Which is where we're headed, by-the-by. A carnival. Mrs. Plenty's. Fun place. Mind the mirrors."Melissa looked a little frightened "You're exaggerating aren't you?... It can't be that bad down here... What do you mean about mirrors?" she tried to keep up with the two as they left the building and headed off. Melissa had no idea where they were going so she figured she would stay close. All the while internally smirking at what the little rat had said.

On the street, Rubbery hailed a hansom. Most cabbies in Fallen London would ignore a rubbery man, but Ptolemy and his companion were frequent riders, so a cab quickly stopped for them. Ptolemy jumped from Rubbery's shoulders into the cab, with Rubbery stepping in after him, leaving the door open for the surface lass.

Once she was in, Ptolemy told the cabdriver where they were headed. "And make it quick, if you would. Pressing business, and all." Rubbery situated himself as far from the girl as he could, obviously still uncomfortable. Ptolemy glanced at him and sighed as well as he could."Anyways, I suppose introductions are in order. Or, more proper ones. I am Ptolemy the Rat, a literary agent here in Veilgarden. Among other things. My companion may be referred to by any number of appellations. Rubbery, Rubber, Rub, Tentacles, whatever takes your fancy. I believe you said your name was Melissa? I take it you're only recently off the dirigible? You still smell of the surface." Ptolemy said with quick, easy words. He talked fast in his squeaky voice. "What's brought you to the Neath?"

"I think I will be taking the dueler. I have a friend who is a member of the Black Ribbon, and I also have some skill with a sword," he said, looking around the room, he then looked back at Forsythia. "I wish you good luck with taking on the scholar, though I am sure you can handle it,"

Forsythia curtsied as she rose up from the chair, "Thank you, I wish you the same in your endeavour." Many other students had gossiped about the guest lecturer, telling tales of a dark and mysterious past. But that was silly. Every gentlemen of breeding was taught in the art of dueling and some practiced their art in Mensur bouts. She had seen gentlemen with scars on these faces walk with an aura of pride, their 'badges of honour' as they called them. Even some of the louts at the University had them, though whether they were dueling with each other or the infamous Black Ribbon was a matter up for debate. She sighed and brushed these thoughts away and approached the rather... excitable gentlemen with whom she would be sharing this adventure with.

"I shall come with the beautiful lady," Collin said, getting up, "I also have connections with the London scientific communities, and anyone who sets up expeditions has set one up with me before!"

"Glad to make your acquaintance then... Mr...?" She asked politely. Forsythia hadn't caught his name in the chaos of this meeting and between the little conversation between her and... Allen. It was strange referring to him like that after four terms of doing the opposite. Nevertheless, she wondered if this man knew of her father and his expedition and his end. Perhaps not. She sighed again, there was enough sadness in the room with all this talk of betrayal and the infamous Great Game. The whole thing seemed like a never-ending circle of move and counter-move to her. But would she end up as a player or just be a pawn, paid to fetch other pieces, by the end of this? Forsythia herself wasn't quite sure if she could escape its clutches after this was done with.

Forsythia stood up from her chair and said, "Thank you, I wish you the same in your endeavor." Allen smiled at her and then turned around. A tomb colonist with a blood stained suit approached him and said. "I believe I'll join you on that. This Francis sounds like the most fun. And persuading people was never my strong suit, I'll be first to admit. Now, I believe I'll set off for Medusa's Head. Good day." The man walked away making a strange kind of noise. Allen had found it odd he hadn't received any time to react, but the tomb colonist didn't look like the talkative kind. Allen decided it might be best to follow him, it might not be his strong suit but it was worth a shot.

He then heard a strange voice behind him say "I have no knowledge of persuading the small ones to do as I say and little talent for investigation, I believe it would be best if I helped look for this Duelist Francis Wolf as a fight sounds inevitable in that situation, if my assistance is welcome." Allen turned around to see a clay man walking towards him. From the way the clay man walked, to the kind of place he was in now, made Allen conclude that it was an unfinished clay man.

Following the tomb colonist with an unfinished clay man behind him was not an option. Instead he began walking a bit faster, until he was walking beside the tomb colonist. "My name is Allen Harper." He said tapping his hat. "I think it might be best, if we were to sit down somewhere and discuss how we are planning to take on this mission."

"Well that would be because I am not a tomb colonist, wearing these bandages is a simple enough way of hiding my face without drawing the sort of questions wearing a mask would bring," he replied, he smiled slightly "I am glad that you were able to notice the, irregularities, in my disguise, it marks another test you have passed."

He closed his briefcase and set it back down beside him, "Now is there anything else you wish to ask before leaving?"

Travian had watched the meeting unfold. T.E. seemed to be reveling in it all. Some people just loved being the center of attention. Trav remembered when he was like that once. The thrill of pushing a hidden convict in a private place, of teasing out the dark secrets that the monsters like to hide behind their porcelain masks. At least here people were honest about their grubby natures.

Lord when did I get so cynical?

The others were happy talking among themselves. No one seemed to notice him, maybe he had gotten too moody for his own good. He didn't know what the great game was but it sounded interesting, the perfect thing to break him out of his rut. To give him some purpose again. The juiciest sounding tasks had already been snapped up and the ones who weren't bickering were already splitting up into groups. All but the young boy... or girl? Depending on what angle Trav tilted his head at.

"I'll go have a nice chat with Mr Reynard," Sam said with a sly smile, waving the letter in his hand and not bothering to read the others. "Anyone interested in accompanying me?"

They had kept to the outside of the throng as well, seems like they managed to grab the last envelope and didn't have someone to go with either.

Like the last two to be picked at school. Now he was just being unbearably wistful.

"I'd be happy to." He croaked at the androgynous agent. He moved over to his, her, their table and looked over the letter. "The shuttered palace, I haven't had the chance to annoy the high society down here yet. Should be fun." And he meant it as well.

"Well that would be because I am not a tomb colonist, wearing these bandages is a simple enough way of hiding my face without drawing the sort of questions wearing a mask would bring." T.E remarked, possibly smiling beneath those bandages of his. "I am glad that you were able to notice the, irregularities, in my disguise, it marks another test you have passed."

"A simple yet effective disguise, something I may have to note down for future use. And how very observant of you Miss Huxtable, to pick out the little details; I can see that our partnership may bare much fruit in this investigation into Viola the Bomber." Kristina remarked, showing a quick smile as she finished her tea as she stood up, leaving some money on the table as payment.

"Now then, before we depart to the location inscribed on this letter, would you care for something to defend yourself with? After all, these streets can be dangerous at times, you never know who could turn up. If so, we can make a quick stop by my apartment to acquire such an item."

It was starting to seem as if Sam would be taking this job on alone when the quiet fellow with a bandage around his neck walked over to him.

"I'd be happy to. The shuttered palace, I haven't had the chance to annoy the high society down here yet. Should be fun," he said with a raspy voice.

Interesting. The man remind Sam of a tomb colonist in all but appearance. "Upsetting noble lords and ladies is always fun," she grinned, "But it would be best not to annoy the empress herself unless you want to go on a vacation in the tomb colonies."

"Now is there anything else you wish to ask before leaving?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where Mr. Wolfgang lives?" Sam asked. People were always more willing to listen to your proposals if their families became involved.

"Well that would be because I am not a tomb colonist, wearing these bandages is a simple enough way of hiding my face without drawing the sort of questions wearing a mask would bring," he replied, the bandages on his face shifted slightly, a smile? "I am glad that you were able to notice the, irregularities, in my disguise, it marks another test you have passed."

The modicum of truth he had revealed didn't mean the tale he had told of banished to the tomb colonies, she had just returned from one of them herself, but that intrigues her further. What scandalous dealings were the cause of his exile? Or had he truly been exiled at all? The tale could just be something used for sympathy, a cause for them to work with him while he kept his own shadowy affairs in the dark.

"Thank you for the compliment T.E," She replied, "However the slightest flaw in an otherwise passable disguise draws attention to itself, anyone could've spotted it."

"Now then, before we depart to the location inscribed on this letter, would you care for something to defend yourself with? After all, these streets can be dangerous at times, you never know who could turn up. If so, we can make a quick stop by my apartment to acquire such an item."

"I can't promise that I would be any good with a weapon," She said turning to Kristina,"But I suppose having one is better than nothing, certainly better then an umbrella."

She gathered her belongings and stood up, ready to follow Kristina to her lodgings. She also 'forgot' about paying for the cake and tea, their new employer would certainly get the hint.

"Oh, and with all this commotion I almost forgot to ask your name, miss..?"

"I have narrowed it down to one of a few houses near the palace. He has been careful to hide some things and my network is not yet fully rebuilt, so you'll have to forgive my current lack of information." T.E. took the letter and wrote down three addresses, then handed it to Sam.

"Be careful how you involve his family, I don't know as much about them as I would like. Now, is there anything else?"

"I can't promise that I would be any good with a weapon." Elisa said as she turned to Kristina. "But I suppose having one is better than nothing, certainly better then an umbrella." She then gathered up her belongings and stood up, ready to follow Kristina back to her apartment. "Oh, and with all this commotion I almost forgot to ask your name, Miss..?"

"Kristina Morrigan. And don't you worry Elisa, I am sure that I will have something that will suit your tastes and proficiency. My apartment is only a short journey away; so we shouldn't be spending too long in this weather." Kristina remarked, as the pair of ladies stepped outside of the restaurant, with her briefly nodding to T.E. as she shut the door.

As they stepped out in to the winter weather, Kristina pulled the hood of her jacket over her head in an attempt to keep the somewhat cold wind and potential snow out of her face. Briefly checking her surroundings, she then walked in the direction of her home; seeing that a hansom cab had just pulled away.

"I'd suggest we take a hansom cab, as in this weather it could possibly take up to an hour by walking. I do know of an easier and quicker route, but it would require scaling the rooftops, and I don't think a lady like yourself would be able to climb them; no offence."

"My name is Allen Harper.""Right, I'm Cyprus in case you didn't catch that." Cyprus wasn't TOO interested in conversation, but he'd suffer the man. He seemed quite the gentleman actually, more so than the rat cretin and his pet squid. Although that was like comparing fine wine to river water.He decided to let the man speak if he wished, but Cyprus would spend his time choosing their route carefully, to be urchin free.

"Right, I'm Cyprus in case you didn't catch that." Cyprus... Cyprus... Allen seemed to think then asked. "Are you perhaps the former detective? I have heard of a detective named Cyprus once." Allen then shook his head and said. "Anyway, I thought it might be best to discuss our mission. And maybe even duel each other. I mean we have to know how strong each of us, is before we can really judge who does what right?"

She followed Kristina out, fiddling a for a moment with her umbrella until it was free of her doctors bag and popped it open covering both Kristina and her. She agreed, in the weather is was best to go by cab, however she was a bit annoyed when she heard the quip about not being able travel rooftop; with the right clothes and preparation she was sure she could manage.

Who was she trying to fool, no amount of preparation could do it. She had seen enough broken limbs from the dolts who who had been foolhardy to try, she wasn't about to add hers to the list.

She hailed a nearby cab and jumped in, mostly because she's rather not be out in the cold although the cab was not much warmer, but also because she'd rather not suffer damp feet brought on by damp boots. Placing the now closed umbrella over her legs, along wither her collection of bags and waited for her companion to join her.

"Anyways, I suppose introductions are in order. Or, more proper ones. I am Ptolemy the Rat, a literary agent here in Veilgarden. Among other things. My companion may be referred to by any number of appellations. Rubbery, Rubber, Rub, Tentacles, whatever takes your fancy. I believe you said your name was Melissa? I take it you're only recently off the dirigible? You still smell of the surface.""What's brought you to the Neath?"

Melissa gave a polite smile and began her response as she looked through her bag for something."My name is Melissa Tailor, usually I would just go by Tailor but I understand the differences with customs when it comes to areas such as this, or like this..." she held back a little giggle as she motioned to her suitcase at her feet, she then continued "I haven't even been here for a night yet, so you and your friend would be correct in your deductions." Melissa gave a slightly embarrassed and worried look towards Rubbery "I'm sorry if that makes you a little uneasy, if it makes you feel any better I am enjoying your company." She gave a sweet smile and answered the final question "My family all died and I inherited everything, I traveled for a long time after feeling uneasy at my homeland and now I am here... Not much to say really... No idea why I was invited or how they found out who I was though..." Melissa shrugged and stopped looking through her hand bag.

"Anyway, I thought it might be best to discuss our mission. And maybe even duel each other. I mean we have to know how strong each of us, is before we can really judge who does what right?""Let's save time, the immortal is stronger." Cyprus stopped and took a moment to eye the man, he noted the slight bulge in his coat. He was barely using his cane as well. Either it was for looks, or a weapon. The Clay man would also need to be watched, Cyprus got the feeling he wasn't an average one. The shorter leg helped that assumption."I am the detective Cyprus, however. A pleasure to meet you. As for our mission, my goal is to find him, and offer him a duel. The stakes being his cooperation should he lose. I doubt he'd win, but I can keep coming at him till he loses. Questions, friends?"

"Let's save time, the immortal is stronger." Cyprus stopped and took a moment to look at Allen. He did the same thing taking a close look at Cyprus. Cyprus then said, "I am the detective Cyprus, however. A pleasure to meet you. As for our mission, my goal is to find him, and offer him a duel. The stakes being his cooperation should he lose. I doubt he'd win, but I can keep coming at him till he loses. Questions, friends?"

Allen responded with, "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Cyprus. Also that plan sounds fine to me. I will go and talk to the black Ribbon then, I am quite well known there you see. I will try to get them to back off, we can't have them killing him now can we?" Allen asked with a smirk.

"Collin R. Hobert," Collin said, holding out his hand, "Explorer and naturalist, at your service! What is your name?"

She took his hand and shook, in a rather hasteful manner, as most of the other gentlemen and women (though she wasn't sure of the gender of one of them) had left the restaurant and were moving ever closer to their targets. She then escorted him out of the establishment and called a hasom cab. Conversation could ensue in the ten or so minutes it usually took for these things to arrive. Well, that was how long it took in Vienna, other places took quicker or longer but she wasn't sure of the punctually of the hasom cabs of London. She then turned around and gave a curtsy.

"Forsythia B. Baumgartner." She replied, "A fellow explorer and naturalist, though I have only been one expedition and mainly specialise in botany. Forgive the hurry, but I think should get to this Scholar of the Correspondence before nighttime, before the nightmares."

"Be careful how you involve his family, I don't know as much about them as I would like. Now, is there anything else?"

His partner was off to a good start but there was one thing nagging at Travian after reading Wolfgang's bio. Something that maybe T.E. hadn't thought of.

"If Mr. Wolfgang retired from the game to protect his family then why would he come back? As far as I can tell from this his family is still alive and he's enjoying his new life. What could you offer him that would make him want to come back to this?" It was better to try and get a baseline on his target - and his employer - before getting started in earnest.

"Tranvian, by the way. Travin Childe" He said leaning over and offering a hand to his (possibly) cross dressing cohort.

"If Mr. Wolfgang retired from the game to protect his family then why would he come back? As far as I can tell from this his family is still alive and he's enjoying his new life. What could you offer him that would make him want to come back to this?"

"I doubt Wolfgang finds married life as exciting as the game, and I know his current job is less profitable," T.E. took another sip of his wine." He left to keep his wife from finding out about his involvement in the game, and because he feared that she might end up a target. You may assure him that I will take precautions to prevent such things from happening if he desires, although you may also find a different approach more successful. It is up to you."

The restaurant was beginning to clear out, and a few more people were giving their meeting a curious glance, although most seemed to drunk to care. T.E. glanced at the thinning crowd and seemed somewhat irritated. "Now, if you have any other questions speak quickly; I have other meetings to attend."

"Forsythia B. Baumgartner. A fellow explorer and naturalist, though I have only been one expedition and mainly specialise in botany. Forgive the hurry, but I think should get to this Scholar of the Correspondence before nighttime, before the nightmares."

"Alright," Collin said, looking at the time, he knew that the most dangerous predators always came out at night, "Where did your expedition take you? Most of mine were the jungles of Africa. So many fascinating creatures, plants, animals, and peoples. Did a large amount of botany myself."

"I doubt Wolfgang finds married life as exciting as the game, and I know his current job is less profitable. He left to keep his wife from finding out about his involvement in the game, and because he feared that she might end up a target. You may assure him that I will take precautions to prevent such things from happening if he desires, although you may also find a different approach more successful. It is up to you."

"I'm sure we'll think of something," Sam said on a more serious not.

"Well then, meet you at the palace in an hour?" he asked his companion. "Or maybe two?" she added after taking Travian's condition into account. The fellow did seem awfully stiff.

Well the T.E. seemed sure that old Mr. Wolfgang was terribly bored with the family life and would jump at the chance to return to a life of drudge and skulduggery. Travian had to admit the idea didn't seem that unbelievable to him.

"I'm sure we'll think of something," Sam said on a more serious not.

"Well then, meet you at the palace in an hour?" he asked his companion. "Or maybe two?" she added after taking Travian's condition into account. The fellow did seem awfully stiff.

Looks like the two of them were going to improvise for this job, well that had its charms. With two hours he could get a lot done, he had all the necessary tools of the trade with him.

"May as well head out now then." He croaked at young Sam. Travian heaved himself out of his chair and started off down the street. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do.

Kristina soon got into the cab after Elisa, pulling the door shut behind her. Before getting herself settled, Kristina poked her head out of the cab window to speak with the driver.

"Take us to the Fallen Angel please." She said in a clear enough tone, hoping the man would hear her.

"Righty oh miss. Just get yourself comfortable, and we'll be on our way. Unfortunately, given this misbegotten weather, it'll take us an hour I'm afraid." The driver called back, before giving a crack of the whip to the horses, and the hansom cab soon began to get pull away. Inside however, Kristina removed her outer coat, revealing her outfit underneath; she then stretched out her arms out, feeling the soft interior of the cab.

A crack of the cabby's whip and the cab what set in motion, the slow plod of the horse crunching though the snow could be heard from inside, just as the cabby had said the journey would take them a while. Not content to sit in though the journey in a uncomfortable silence, Elisa thought she best try start a conversation of some kind, of what baffled her though. Obviously from her attire she assumed Kristina would not be one for society gossip, and from the sword at her hip the only thing that might interest her about the inner workings of the human body would be which vein, when cut, would cause the most and quickest blood loss.

"What do you think of T.E? She asked as she crossed her legs," I doubt we should trust him, only fools trust those embroiled in the great game, too eager to back stab each other. I suppose we might be able to garner some more information on him when we talk to Viola, depending on her state of mind that is, some come back from the boat not quite right, "She blushed for a moment when she realised she had got ahead of herself, "And now I have started waffling, I apologise."